Incremental Eating Container

ABSTRACT

An incremental eating container. The incremental eating container can have a tubular body having a first end, a second end and enclosing a cavity, and at least one separation line defined in the tubular body and extending around the circumference thereof.

BACKGROUND

It has become a common practice in modern society to consume food while“on-the-go.” That is, instead of sitting at a table to consume a meal,some individuals find it preferable to consume the meal while en routeto a destination, whether on foot, or in a vehicle. Certain food itemsare well-adapted to being consumed on-the-go. Such food items aretypically ones that can easily be held by the individual, for example,hamburgers, hot dogs, candy bars, or snacks provided in small bags. Theprovision of a bun, a wrapper, or a similar container allows the fooditem to easily be held during consumption and reduces the the need forutensils.

Nevertheless, such food items still require the individual to makecontact between the hands and the food, thereby coating the hands withfood particles, oils, and so forth. Portions of such food items can alsobe dropped by the individual. Additionally, when an individual isoutside their home, their hands may not be sufficiently sanitary forcontacting the food.

Accordingly, a solution for easily and sanitarily consuming foods whileon-the-go is desirable.

SUMMARY

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an incremental eatingcontainer is disclosed. The incremental eating container can have atubular body having a first end, a second end and enclosing a cavity,and at least one separation line defined in the tubular body andextending around the circumference thereof.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an incremental eatingcontainer is disclosed. The incremental eating container can include astrip having a first end, a second end, and a pair of longitudinaledges, the strip being wound in a substantially helical path about anaxis. The longitudinal edges of the strip being detachably coupled toeach other along a portion of the length of the strip so as to form atubular body around the axis, the tubular body enclosing a cavity forsupporting food items therein.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a blank for an incrementaleating container is disclosed. The blank can have a first transverseedge, a second transverse edge, a first longitudinal edge, a secondlongitudinal edge, and at least one separation line having a first endat the first longitudinal edge and a second end at the secondlongitudinal edge, the separation line extending between the first endand the second end.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a blank for an incrementaleating container is disclosed. The blank can include a first transverseedge, a second transverse edge, a first longitudinal edge, a secondlongitudinal edge, and at least two adjacent segments, each segmenthaving a first end proximate the first longitudinal edge and a secondend proximate the second longitudinal edge, each segment extendingbetween the first end and the second end, wherein each segment isdetachably coupled to at least one adjacent segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. Thefollowing detailed description should be considered in conjunction withthe accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anincremental eating container.

FIG. 1 b is a top plan view of a first exemplary embodiment of a blankfor an incremental eating container.

FIG. 1 c is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank for anincremental eating container.

FIG. 2 a is a top plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of a blankfor an incremental eating container.

FIG. 2 b is a top plan view of an incremental eating container formedfrom the blank of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of a blank foran incremental eating container.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a blankfor an incremental eating container.

FIG. 5 a is a top plan view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a blankfor an incremental eating container.

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of an incremental eating container formedfrom the blank of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 6 a is a top plan view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a blankfor an incremental eating container.

FIG. 6 b is a perspective view of an incremental eating container formedfrom the blank of FIG. 6 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description andrelated drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention.Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description,discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are notlimiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood thatthe described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms“embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do notrequire that all embodiments of the invention include the discussedfeature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an incremental eatingcontainer is disclosed. The incremental eating container can have asubstantially tubular shape for enclosing a portion of food. Separationlines, which may be perforated, may be defined in the container. Theseparation lines can allow portions of the container to be torn off asthe food therein is consumed. To consume the food, the user can hold thecontainer by its outer surface, and consume the portion of the food thatis proximate the edge of the container. Subsequently, the user can tearoff a portion of the container that is proximate the edge of thecontainer, thereby allowing the user to access a subsequent portion ofthe food. The incremental eating container can allow for convenientconsumption of food without the need for additional tableware whileminimizing contact between the user's hands and the food. Furthermore,the incremental eating container can be sized to be portable so as toallow a user to consume the food in any desired location.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, an incremental eating container 100 may havea generally elongated, tubular configuration. An outer surface 102 maybe held by the user, while an inner surface 104 may enclose a cavity 106into which food items may be placed. Container 100 may further have afirst end 108 and a second end 110, the two ends 108, 110 being disposedsubstantially at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis of container100. Container 100 may have a first longitudinal edge 118 and a secondlongitudinal edge 120. Longitudinal edges 118, 120 may be coupled in anoverlapping position, creating an overlap area 124.

A series of separation lines 112 may be provided in container 100. Insome exemplary embodiments, longitudinal edges 118, 120 may overlap in away that separation lines 112 align to create an integrated separationline 126. The integrated separation line 126 may commence proximatefirst end 108 of container 100, and may terminate proximate second end110. Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, the integratedseparation line 126 may be continuous, extending in a substantiallyhelical path over the length of container 100. As used herein,“substantially helical” should be understood to mean that separationlines 112 can include a plurality of loops extending fully around thecircumference of container 100. However, the specific path of separationline 112 can have any configuration, and can further include straightsegments, curved segments, undulating segments, stepped segments, and soforth. The specific path of separation line 112 can depend on theparticular blank used to form container 100, as will be discussed indetail further below.

The separation lines 112 can define strips 114, disposed on either sideof or between separation lines 112. Longitudinal edges 118, 120 may bealigned and coupled such that strips 114 align to form an integratedstrip 128. The substantially helical path of separation line 112 candefine a substantially helical, continuous strip 114 disposed betweenany two neighboring segments of separation line 112. The strip 114 canlikewise commence proximate first end 108, terminate proximate secondend 110 and include therebetween a plurality of loops defining thecircumference of container 100. The strip 114 can be detachably coupledto itself by way of separation line 112, and can facilitate the use ofcontainer 100 for incremental eating.

In operation, the user can place a desired portion of food into thecavity 106 of incremental eating container 100. The user may then gripcontainer 100 by its outer surface 102. As container 100 may bedeformable, the inner surface 104 of container 100 may then grip thefood items, thereby securing the food items within the container. Tocommence eating, the user may detach an end 116 of strip 114 from theremainder for container 100, for example by tearing along separationline 112. In some exemplary embodiments, a first longitudinal edge 118may have notches 122, to initiate tearing along the separation lines112. The user can then consume the portion of food that is proximate theresulting edge of container 100. After consuming the accessible portionof food, the user can continue detaching strip 114 from the remainder ofcontainer 100 by tearing along separation 112. An additional portion offood can thus be made accessible and can be consumed by the user. Theuser can continue detaching strip 114 until the desired portion of foodis consumed. The remainder of container 100 may then be stored ordisposed of as desired.

Incremental eating container 100 may be formed from any suitablematerial. In some exemplary embodiments, container 100 may bedisposable, and may be made from any suitable polymer, metal foil, orpaper-based product. For example, the entirety or portions of container100 may be made from polymers such as PET, HDPE, MDPE, LDPE,polypropylene, or any other suitable polymer or polymer blend. Portionsof container 100 may also be formed from paper-based products such ascard stock, folding boxboard, paperboard, cardboard, and the like, andmay include a water-resistant lining. Furthermore, the surfaces ofpaper-based portions of container 100 may include a coating, for examplea wax coating, clay coating, polymer coating, or the like, so as toprevent the absorption of liquids and other particles from the fooditems disposed within container 100. Container 100 may be lined with asecondary substrate such as water resistant paper. The secondarysubstrate may not have perforated separation lines, but could be tornalong the separation lines 112 of container 100. However, theabove-enumerated materials should not be construed as limiting and itshould be understood that container 100 may be formed from any materialthat enables it to function as described herein.

Furthermore, container 100 may have various configurations. Severalconfigurations for the container are described below; however, the scopeof the invention should not be construed as limited to solely theenumerated embodiments. Exemplary embodiments of blanks that may be usedfor manufacture of container 100 from substantially flexible materialsare shown in the various figures. Various configurations for the shapesof portions of the container can be easily seen in these figures.Substantially similar features between the various embodiments of theblanks are indicated with similar reference numerals, but with differentleading digits.

FIG. 1 b shows an exemplary embodiment of a blank 150 from whichincremental eating container 100 may be formed. Blank 150 may include afirst longitudinal edge 152, a second longitudinal edge 154, a firsttransverse edge 156, and a second transverse edge 158. A plurality ofseparation lines 160 can extend from first longitudinal edge 152 tosecond longitudinal edge 154. Each pair of adjacent separation lines 160can define a segment 166 therebetween.

Each separation line 160 can have a first end 162 disposed at firstlongitudinal edge 152, and a second end 164 disposed at secondlongitudinal edge 154. First end 162 may be offset from second end 164with respect to the lengthwise direction of blank 150. For anyseparation line 160 out of the plurality of separation lines, first end162 thereof may be positioned such that it is at substantially the samepoint along the length of blank 150 as the second end 164 of a firstadjacent separation line 160. Likewise, second end 164 of the separationline 160 may be positioned such that it is at the same point along thelength of blank 150 as the first end 162 of a second adjacent separationline 160.

Similarly, each segment 166 can have a first end 168 disposed at firstlongitudinal edge 152 and a second end 170 disposed at secondlongitudinal edge 154. First end 168 may be offset from second end 170in the lengthwise direction of blank 150. For any segment 166 out of theplurality of segments, first end 168 thereof may be positioned such thatit is at the same point along the length of blank 150 as the second end170 of a first adjacent segment 166. Likewise, second end 170 of thesegment 166 may be positioned such that it is at the same point alongthe length of blank 150 as the first end 168 of a second adjacentsegment 166.

The offset configuration of separation lines 160 can further define apair of terminal segments 167, which are disposed between a separationline 160 and a transverse edge of blank 150. The terminal segments 167can extend for only a portion of the width of blank 150, and can have anend at one of the longitudinal edges of the blank.

In the exemplary embodiment of blank 150, the separation lines 160 andsegments 166 can extend generally parallel to the transverse edges ofblank 150. Each separation line 160 and segment 166 can have twoportions extending parallel to the transverse edges of blank 150, aswell as a diagonal portion extending at an oblique angle to thetransverse edges of blank 150. The diagonal portion can facilitate theabove-described offset between first end 162 and second end 164 ofseparation lines 160 as well as the first end 168 and second end 170 ofsegments 166.

Additionally, blank 150 can include a crease line 169 that mirrors thediagonal portion of perforation line 160. The segment 166 can be bentalong the diagonal crease line 169. The combination of the crease line169 and the diagonal portion of 166, can allow for the formation of asupporting structure for the contents of the container.

Additionally, a pull tab 190 may be coupled to an edge of the firstsegment 166. The pull tab 190 can facilitate gripping the first segmentso as to begin the tearing off of the segment.

To form container 100, blank 150 may be rolled into a tubular shape byoverlapping first longitudinal edge 152 and second longitudinal edge154. The overlapping portions of blank 150 can then be coupled to eachother in any known manner, for example adhesives, stables, fasteners,and the like. The area of overlap 172 can be a portion of the width ofblank 150. In some exemplary embodiments, the area of overlap 172 may beprovided with an adhesive so as to facilitate coupling the overlappingportions of blank 150. Furthermore, when forming container 100, eachtransverse edge should be aligned with itself so as to formsubstantially flush ends for container 100. Forming container 100 inthis manner can result in that the first end 168 of each segment 166 iscoupled to a second end 170 of an adjacent segment 166, thereby couplingthe segments to each other. Additionally, for segments 166 disposedproximate an end of container 100, an end thereof may be coupled to anend of a terminal segment 167. Thus, the above-described coupling ofsegments 166 to each other can result in the formation of strip 114 ofcontainer 100, while terminal segments 167 can form the ends 116 ofstrip 114, which the user can detach from the remainder of container 100to facilitate further detaching of strip 114 from container 100.

FIG. 1 c shows an exemplary embodiment of a blank 700. Blank 700 caninclude a pair of end walls 782 at each end thereof. The end walls canbe defined between the transverse edges 756, 758 and crease lines 757disposed proximate the transverse edges. The end wall 782 can be pivotedinto a vertical position so as to maintain food disposed within thecontainer formed from blank 700.

The container formed from blank 700 can have a faceted shape, forexample having a substantially hexagonal cross section. Longitudinalcrease lines 759 can facilitate forming the faceted shape of thecontainer from blank 700. Each separation line 760 has a first end 762and a second end 764. Crease lines 757, longitudinal crease lines 759and end walls 782 may facilitate the alignment of separation lines 760such that when folded, the first end 762 of a separation line 760 alignswith the second end 764 of a preceding separation line 760.

An adhesive strip 770 may run along a second longitudinal end 752. Theadhesive strip 770 may couple with an overlapping tack area 772 runningalong a first longitudinal edge 754. A plurality of correspondinggripping flaps 793 may exist adjacent to a first longitudinal edge 754,forming a panel 774. The gripping flaps 793 may provide additionalcoupling and may facilitate gripping and tearing along separation lines760.

Each segment 766 can have a gripping flap 793 disposed at an end 768thereof. Notches 792 can be defined in a longitudinal edge 755 of blank700 so as to facilitate ease of tearing of gripping flaps 793 and thecorresponding segments 766. Gripping flaps 793 may have indicia disposedthereon. For example, gripping flaps 793 may be numbered.

A pair of latches 786 may be disposed at a longitudinal edge of blank700. Latches 786 may have sufficient length so as to be received incorresponding slits 785 defined in blank 700 when the container isformed from blank 700. When latches 786 are engaged with correspondingslits 785, a base of the container may be defined from the slits 785 toa second longitudinal edge 752, and a lid may be defined from a firstlongitudinal line 754 to the slits 785. Latches 786 can thus facilitatealignment and in maintaining the shape of the container formed fromblank 700.

A second exemplary embodiment of a blank 250 is shown in FIG. 2. Theseparation lines 260 can have a sinusoidal shape, with peaks located atthe longitudinal edges 252, 254, and substantially at the midpointtherebetween. Peaks of the sinusoidal shape can be located substantiallyat the midpoint between each pair of valleys.

When blank 250 is formed into an incremental eating container 200,segments 267 may be removed prior or after the formation of thecontainer. Removal of segments 267, as well as the undulating shape ofsegments 266 can facilitate forming curved “bite lines” at the ends 208,210 of container 200, as shown in the top view of container 200 in FIG.2 b. The bite lines can allow the user to easily consume the fooddisposed within container 200.

Separation lines 260 and segments 266 can have a shape substantiallysimilar to that of transverse edge 256, with the difference that thepeak located proximate longitudinal edge 254 may be higher than theother two peaks, thereby creating the offset between ends 262, 264 ofeach separation line 260 as well as the offset of ends 268, 270 of eachsegment 266. The curved bite line can thus be maintained as the usertears off the continuous strip from container 200. An adhesive strip 272may be located along a longitudinal edge 252 to aid in coupling with asecond longitudinal edge 254, forming food holding cavity. Further, astarter tab 290 may be situated at an end of a first segment 266, toinitiate separation along separation lines 260.

A third exemplary embodiment of blank 350 is shown in FIG. 3. The firsttransverse edge 356 of blank 350 can have an undulating shape, and thesecond transverse edge 358 may have an undulating shape mirroring thatof the first transverse edge. Crease lines 357 disposed proximatetransverse edges 356, 358 can define end wall portions 382 between thecrease line and the corresponding transverse edge. Crease lines 357 canallow end wall portions 382 to be pivoted into a vertical position so asto create end walls for maintaining food disposed within the containerformed from blank 350. Longitudinal crease lines 359 can facilitateforming a container having a cross-section substantially the same as theshape of end wall portions 382.

A central segment 374 may be disposed between transverse edges 356, 358,for example approximately at the longitudinal midpoint of blank 350. Aplurality of separation lines 360 a and segments 366 a can be disposedbetween first transverse edge 356 and central segment 374. Additionally,a plurality of separation lines 360 b and segments 366 b can be disposedbetween second transverse edge 358 and central segment 374.

Separation lines 360 a and segments 366 a can have a sinusoidal shapeand the peak located proximate second longitudinal edge 352 may behigher than the other two peaks, thereby creating the offset betweenends 362, 364 of each separation line 360 a as well as the ends 368, 370of each segment 366 a. Similarly, separation lines 360 b and segments366 b can have a sinusoidal shape and the valley located proximate firstlongitudinal edge 356 may be deeper than the other two valleys, therebycreating the offset between ends 362, 364 of each separation line 360 bas well as the ends 368, 370 of each segment 366 b. A blank 350 havingsuch a configuration can be used to form a container having a bite lineat both ends. The user can thus use either end of the container forincremental eating from either side of the container while holding thecontainer by central segment 374.

Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, a central cup 380 may beprovided at central segment 374. The cup 380 may be adhered to segment374 and may include a pair of end walls 384 that are oriented verticallyand have a shape similar to end walls 382. The cup 380 can facilitatemaintaining additional food items therein separate from the food itemsdisposed in the rest of the container, for example condiment packets andthe like, and the end walls 382 can provide additional structuralsupport to the container.

A latch 386 may be disposed at a longitudinal edge of blank 350 andproximate central segment 374. Latch 386 may have sufficient length soas to be received in a slit 387 defined in blank 350 when the containeris formed from blank 350. Latch 386 can thus maintain the shape of thecontainer formed from blank 350. Additionally an aperture 385 may beprovided in latch 386 so as to allow access to the food items in cup384.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of blank 450 is shown in FIG. 4. In theexemplary embodiment, the separation lines 460 and segments 466 canextend substantially diagonally across blank 450. Each separation line460 and segments 466 can have two portions extending parallel to thetransverse edges of blank 450, with a diagonal portion extending at anoblique angle to the transverse edges of blank 450. The parallelportions can be disposed proximate the longitudinal edges 452, 454 ofthe blank, while the diagonal portion can extend therebetween. The angleof the diagonal portion can facilitate the offset between first end 462and second end 464 of separation lines 460 as well as the first end 468and second end 470 of segments 466.

A fifth exemplary embodiment of a blank 550 is shown in FIG. 5 a. In theexemplary embodiment, separation lines 560 and segments 566 may extendacross blank 550 substantially parallel to the transverse edges thereof.Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, there may not be an offsetbetween the ends of separation lines 560 as well as the ends of segments566. Instead, a tab 576 may be provided, extending from an end of eachsegment 566.

As a consequence of the configuration of blank 550, the incrementaleating container 500 formed therefrom and shown in FIG. 5 b may not havea substantially helical, continuous strip. Rather, the container canhave a plurality of annular segments 518 removably coupled to each otherby way of annular separation lines 520. Furthermore, tabs 576 may extendoutwardly from the outer surface of the incremental eating container,with each tab being coupled to an annular segment 518. Consequently, touse incremental eating container 500, the user may utilize tabs 576 tosuccessively detach segments 518 from the remainder of the incrementaleating container 500.

A sixth exemplary embodiment of a blank 650 is shown in FIG. 6 a. In theexemplary embodiment, separation lines 660 and segments 666 may extendacross blank 650 substantially parallel to the transverse edges thereof.Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, there may not be an offsetbetween the ends of separation lines 660 as well as the ends of segments666. At least one pull tab 692 may be disposed at a transverse edge ofblank 650. Pull tab 692 can be coupled to a pull line 694, which may be,for example, a strip of blank 650 separated by a pair of longitudinallyextending separation lines 696.

The incremental eating container 600 formed from blank 650 and shown inFIG. 6 b may not have a substantially helical, continuous strip. Rather,the container can have a plurality of annular segments 618 removablycoupled to each other by way of annular separation lines 620.Furthermore, the pull line 694 can extend substantially longitudinallyalong container 600. To use incremental eating container 600, the usermay pull on tab 692 so as to detach a portion of pull line 694 fromcontainer 600, thereby splitting one or more segments 618. The user canthen detach the one or more segments 618 from the remainder of theincremental eating container 600 by pulling on the free ends of thesegments. Additionally, the split segments may initially not be detachedentirely from container 600, but may be laid flat to provide asubstantially flat surface for supporting a portion of food thereon.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An incremental eating container, comprising: atubular body having a first end, a second end, a first longitudinal edgeoverlapping a second longitudinal edge and enclosing a cavity; and aseries of separation lines defined in the tubular body and extendingaround the circumference thereof.
 2. The incremental eating container ofclaim 1, wherein the series of separation lines commences proximate thefirst end, terminates proximate the second end, and is continuoustherebetween.
 3. The incremental eating container of claim 1, whereinthe series of separation lines commences proximate the first end,terminates proximate the second end, and extends in a substantiallyhelical path therebetween.
 4. An incremental eating container,comprising a series of adjacent strips, each having a first end, asecond end, and a pair of longitudinal edges, the longitudinal edges ofthe strips being detachably coupled to each other along a portion of thelength of the strip so as to create an integrated strip to form atubular body wound in a substantially helical path around the axis, thetubular body enclosing a cavity for supporting food items therein. 5.The incremental eating container of claim 4, wherein: the first end ofthe integrated strip is disposed at a first end of the tubular body; andthe second end of the integrated strip is disposed at a second end ofthe tubular body.
 6. The incremental eating container of claim 4,wherein the transverse edges of the strip are detachably coupled to eachother by at least one separation line.
 7. A blank for an incrementaleating container, comprising: a first transverse edge; a secondtransverse edge; a first longitudinal edge; a second longitudinal edge;and at least one separation line having a first end at the firstlongitudinal edge and a second end at the second longitudinal edge, theseparation line extending between the first end and the second end. 8.The blank of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of separationlines, each separation line having a first end at the first longitudinaledge and a second end at the second longitudinal edge and extendingtherebetween.
 9. The blank of claim 8, wherein one or more of the firsttransverse edge and the second transverse edge is shaped so as to definea bite line.
 10. The blank for an incremental eating container of claim8, further comprising internal partitions disposed within the cavity.11. The blank of claim 8, further comprising a latch coupled thereto andreceivable in a slit so as to maintain the shape of the incrementaleating container.
 12. The blank of claim 8, wherein the second end of aseparation line is aligned with the first end of an adjacent separationline.
 13. The blank of claim 12, wherein the separation line includes atleast one portion extending parallel to a transverse edge of the blankand at least one portion extending at an oblique angle to the transverseedge of the blank.
 14. The blank of claim 12, wherein the separationline includes at least one curvilinear portion.
 15. The blank of claim12, further comprising at least one second separation line extendingbetween the first transverse edge and the second transverse edge.
 16. Ablank for an incremental eating container, comprising: a firsttransverse edge; a second transverse edge; a first longitudinal edge; asecond longitudinal edge; and at least two adjacent segments, eachsegment having a first end proximate the first longitudinal edge and asecond end proximate the second longitudinal edge, each segmentextending between the first end and the second end; wherein each segmentis detachably coupled to at least one adjacent segment.
 17. The blank ofclaim 16, wherein the second end of a segment is aligned with the firstend of an adjacent segment line.
 18. The blank of claim 16, wherein thesegment includes at least one portion extending parallel to a transverseedge of the blank and at least one portion extending at an oblique angleto the transverse edge of the blank.
 19. The blank of claim 16, whereinthe segment includes at least one curvilinear portion.
 20. The blank ofclaim 16, further comprising a pull tab disposed at an end of at leastone segment.
 21. The blank of claim 16, further comprising a latchcoupled thereto and receivable in a slit so as to maintain the shape ofthe incremental eating container.
 22. The blank of claim 16, wherein thetransverse edges pivot to form end walls.
 23. The blank of claim 16,further comprising a liner.
 24. The blank of claim 16, furthercomprising internal partitions disposed within the cavity.
 25. The blankof claim 16, wherein one or more of the first end and the second end isshaped so as to define a bite line.